He-art Journaling Week 3 - Gratitude/Thankfulness

This week we were asked to journal about things we are grateful for or thankful for. Really there are just too many things for me to list on two pages so I improvised. I put the things that came to mind first in no particular order.

The project directions also asked you to use layers. I'd like to have had more layers but I did have fun layering up my inks and images to create a unique background. Because of the fact that I am using a book for my journal, I don't want to build it up too much...I'd like it to close up when I'm all done with it.

Anna also did this week's project and chose to do the one page option. She's been a busy girl. So this was a really good thing for her. Her little stick people doodles are too cute. I like that she actually hand cut the word "stars" out of felt and added it to her page.

With that in mind, here are what the pages looked like...

Anna's page:

Thanks for stopping by!

SMiLES!

GWeN

He-art Journal Week 2

Anna and I had a very busy weekend with the District Convention. It was a wonderful three days spent surrounded by our brothers and sisters in faith. We received so much spiritual food that I know personally, I really needed to hear. I'm so grateful to have been there and experienced that privilege.

Monday, we got a little surprise for the two little ones while everyone was away at a Grandma's house. A new puppy! She's a sweet little puggle baby and her name is Daisy. You can see her on my facebook photos...I haven't figured out how to load my camera photos to blogger yet. Yes, I have a new cell phone and the camera is great for loading to facebook but I'm so inept at electronics and techy stuff I can't load them here yet. LOL!

Anna and I completed our He-art Journal entries for Week 2. Our theme was Sun, Sand, Beach. Here is what we came up with in our limited time:

Anna's project. She loves her little crab in the sand. Wish I would have moved that nasty stained pot holder that migrated to the table. Not sure why it is even there. Oh, well. Her entry is still pretty.

I think it took longer to draw those little feet than it would have taken to walk the Gulf of Mexico...LOL!

I'm sure there will be lots of fun updates to come but for now, I'm off to get something special for my husband.

SMiLES!

GWeN

He-art Journal Week 1

Well, I'm doing the TGF He-art Journal Class. The Week 1 assignment was to use a wings theme. It was to be a two page spread. Anna Beth also decided to play along. Here is what we did:

Anna's Cover and her hand sketched pages:

This was her first time stamping. She chose images that reflected her different moods. 

She worked on her little fairy and her bird for quite a while. Shushing me often because I'd break her concentration...LOL! I'd hoped she'd color it a bit but this is her journal and this is how she wanted it. {Smiling}

Here is what I put together:

My cover was so much fun. to create. Love the way it came out.

I used a variety of images, medias and let myself go a bit here. I didn't want it to feel too planned. This is about my heart, so of course there is meaning and symbolism here. I left the journaling off the page, too personal to share. I will share one thing...the music notes represent the song(s) of my heart.

Well, we'll be back to share the Week 2 pages. They are to be based on a Sun, Sand, Beach theme this time. Hmmm? I've got a jar with the white sands of Marco Island that just may get a little lighter this week...just a current idea.

Keep those hands busy!

SMiLES!

GWeN

A New Page...

Okay this is the first page I've done in a while. I got the design inspiration from the Helmar DT. Its based on a sketch they posted on their blog. I can't enter their challenge because I don't own any of their adhesive, still, I liked the simplicity of one photo and the off-set title and creative journal area. I added my own alteration to the journal area due to having a background with wording. It was just too busy directly on the background dp, so I wrote my journaling out on a coordinating peice of paper and it makes it so much easier to read.

This photo was greatly edited from a very blurry snapshot taken by our waiter at Brio's. It was the only cute pic we had, the only one of us together not being goofy and it was a baaaaad shot. So, I played with it in an editing software program and created a more artsie looking snapshot. I really like the way it came out.

Interested in what I used? Well, I raided my stash. Had some leather flowers and brads from ages ago that I put on there. Some Bo-Bunny buttons and bling. Rhinestones that I placed on individually to create the flourishes (boy, do my hands ache right now from all that peeling and sticking!), the template is from Bazzill. Harvest alpha-QK; Cuttlebug; Lacy Squares and Lg. Squares-SB; Distress Ink-Vintage Photo; MME DP-Simple Delights; Misc. CS; Prima Chocolate CS.

Challenges I am entering this in:

The Emerald Faerie Garden Challenge - Bling

 

I think I'll stop there. I'm out of the challenge loop right now and I'm going to ease my way back. LOL!

SMiLES!

GWeN

My Color Challenge Project...

As promised, I finally got to feeling better, got some house work caught up and created a little something for the Color Challenge at A Crafty Little Place.

DP: Wanted

Ink: Memento, Tim Holtz Distressing Ink

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Paisley;, Spellbinders Circles and Lacy Circles and Ribbon Slide

Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher; Opaline pearls; Kaisercraft Flower

 Misc. Ribbon, Stamp, vellum

Loved the little phrase I found in some oldies but goodies. A vellum pack all about our furry friends.

Here is a close up:

I thought that was perfect! I chopped it up a bit and ran it through the Xyron and wah-lah! A perfect sentiment for my cute little lay out.

If you haven't joined in the challenge at A Crafty Little Place it isn't too late. You have until Sunday at 9:00 PM EST to get your projects loaded.

SMiLES!

GWeN

Scrappy Challenge #7 - Sketch

The sketch...

So, you know me, I can't even follow my own sketches...

EK Success DP

AC DP

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Puddle Jumpers "Animals Companions" by Claudia and Co. Stamps

Copics

Stop on over to A Crafty Little Place and play along with us. We'd love to have you there!

Oh, and don't forget that Die Cuts R Us is still having that extraordinary sale on EK Success DP.

You can save 75% off through Saturday!!!

SMiLES!

GWeN

Scrappy Challenge # 6 - DISTRESS IT!

Ready for a new SCRAPPY CHALLENGE at A Crafty Little Place? I know I am...fresh back from vacation and more pictures to scrap than I know what to do with. WOW! This is a treat for me and I'm just loving that I get to start out my first double layout with a great group of pictures and as much distressing on my pages as I can stand.

Distressing is so much fun for me. I love to sand, shread, tear, ink and roll up my papers...I find it therapeutic. It calms my nerves and leaves me relaxed. Isn't that what any good hobby is supposed to do? Well, scrapping does that for me and distressing intensifies the effect.

Enough rambling right? Get on with it, G-Dawg! (Yeah, that's my nickname over at ACLP. Its a long story but I have to admit that I LOVE it!) Check out my LOs and then head over to see what the other Crafty Scrappers put together for you. Now here is the important part...Create a page and link it up!

Items you can find at DCRU that I used for my layouts:

Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Cuttlebug
Fluer di leis Embossing Folder
Magnolia CC - Quickutz
Stickles
DCWV - Latte Stack
Prism Cardstock
EK Success Grasshopper Cookie Collection

Keep those hands busy!

SMiLES!

GWeN

Scrappy Challenge #5 - Sketch

Here is the sketch...

Here is my layout based on the sketch...

The products I used were from DCRU of course!

EK Success - Stella Collection

AC - Dear Lizzy Ribbon/Trims

TGF - Sunshine Kit

Copic Markers

Memento Ink Pad

3-D Dots

Stop by and check out the challenge, maybe even create a project and link it up. You can see the other DT projects by clicking HERE.

Keep those hands busy!

SMiLES!

GWeN

Scrappy Challenge #4 - One for Dad

The theme of the Scrappy Challenge this time around is one for Dad. I chose to do a layout on my husband's grandfather, Grandpa Bandy.

Last spring when we went to visit in Florida, he and my Bekah formed this inseperable attachment. It may have had a little to do with the fact that Grandpa kept sneaking her candy. I think it had more to do with the fact that he took her for a walk and just let her jabber on and on about anything. He and Bekah just hung out in his cozy chair and even caught a wink or two together. It was a very sweet moment in time. I hope she will be able to remember it when she is older, if not, I've got her covered.

EK Success Seaside: Paisley / Mini Dots

Dots / Green Solid

Glue Glider Pro

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Wild Honey

Bo Bunny Candy Jewels

May Arts Ribbon

Pop on over to A Crafty Little Place and check out the current challenges. We'd love to have you join us!

Smiles!

Gwen

Scrappy Challenge #3 - Sketch

Our Scrappy Challenge at A Crafty Little Place is another sketch by yours truly.

My LO is based on my daughter, my first baby, Anna who just turned fifteen on Monday!

Hard to believe...

It is titled "U R Fifteen"...the theme is all about her growing up. She's really into her music right now so I went with the guitar, some funky flourishes, butterflies and for the fun side in her the heart with wings. These were all cut using my Cricut Create and several cartridges: Home Accents, Love Struck and Stamping. I added some bling with pearls and Stickles. Gave it more dimension buy

 building layers and using some 3-D foam dots.

Its fun, a little busy and everything that Anna Beth loves right now. The colors actually match her new drapes. The guitar is going to be used to decorate her new ceiling fan. We are going to cut it a bit larger and adhere them in vinyl to her fan blades. Should be a fun project for us.

Not so sure I like her being 15 years old...but what are you going to do? Our babies just don't stay babies forever...some days thats good and other days...well, you know.

Hope to see you and your projects at A Crafty Little Place.

SMiLES!

GWeN

(Since this is a project on my "baby" even though she is a bit older...hehehe, I may link it up to the FCCB Challenge for this week.)

Scrappy Challenge #2 - Scrapbook Sketch! GDT! Prize for the Winner!

Time for another Scrapbook Challenge! Our Crafty Scrappers worked with another sketch by yours truly. Here is what it looks like...

I got to play with the fantastically fun October Afternoon 12x12 Fly A Kite DP. This paper is right up my alley...I Luuuuvvvvv it! Here is what I did with it...

October Afternoon - Fly A Kite DP

Candy Dots

Prima paper flowers

May Arts Twill Ribbon

Malibu Buttons

Misc. chipboard & adhesives

This is part one of a two page lay out that I'm creating using some of the very first photographs of our little Aubrey. These are pics of the first moments she shared with her family. Page two will take on the extended family and first visitors to the hospital. Meeting Aubrey for the first time was a special and joyous moment for so many of us. I want her to know that later in life. She was greeted by family that we don't normally see...she brought about a famiy miracle...LOL!

As special as she is to me, we have another special person to mention. Our Guest Designer this week at A Crafty Little Place. Sarabeth Burke of Scrap Happie!

Oh, one more suprise...the winner of our 2nd Scrap Challenge will receive a

$10 Gift Certificate to Die Cuts R Us!

To find out how you can win this amazing prize just click HERE for the deets.

Keep your hands busy!

SMiLES!

GWeN

A Scrappy Kind of Challenge at A Crafty Little Place!!!

I am so happy to announce that A Crafty Little Place is now holding a SCRAP CHALLENGE! We have several of our fantastic DT members on our brand new Crafty Scrappers Team. Every other week you will find a new sketch challenge made just for all of us scrapbookers!

The best part of this is that YOU can play along too! Get out those photos and dust off those scrappy supplies that you've been hoarding. With our sketches we are taking most of the obstacle out of the way for you...all you need to do is add the final touches that will make this layout creatively yours.

To get all of the deets on the challenge please click HERE.

Here is the sketch for the current challenge:

The Crafty Scrappers worked with the Lush DP from MME. You can find it at DCRU

I also worked with the following products from the DCRU line up...

Lush Pink Large Polka Dot

Lush Pink Damask(flocked and GORGEOUS)

Prism Cardstock

Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

Glue Glider Pro Adhesive

Opaline Pearls

QK Cookie Cutter Alpha

Here is what my project looks like...

"Sisters in bloom"

These are some of the pictures of my little sweet, Bekah getting used to the new little sister that had come home from the hospital. Doesn't she look just smitten with little, Aubrey? They are fantastic buddies now and I sincerely hope that their special relationship carries on with them throughout their lives.

I just can't believe how much they have both grown since these moments were captured. Each day I look at these precious little faces and I see less of the little babies and more of a growing independent individual with ideas, tastes and preferrences of their very own. I remember as a new Mom hearing people say that it will go too fast. I remember thinking, "Oh, if I hear that one more time...". Well, they were all right. It does go too fast. If you aren't looking in the right direction you might actually miss the grandest and most spectacular adventure of your lifetime...

Your Children!

Hugs to all of the little ones in the world right now. I wish they could all have families to hold them tight and love them each and every day. I pray that in the end my own children will look back and know that they were loved greatly, albeit, imperfectly by their Mommy.

They are each the greatest loves of my life!

Anna, Bekah, Aubrey and Brooke...I love you!

SMiLES!

GWeN

DCRU Challenge 33 - RECIPE!

This week the DCRU Challenge is a fun one based on a RECIPE...

Use a stamped image

Have at least one bird on your project

The DT are using Lucy Bird DP from the DCRU Store and here is what my project looks like:

Recipe:

Lucy Bird DP

Davey Puddle Jumper

Pet - Lucas Puddle Jumper

Dear Lizzy Flowers

Spellbinder Lotus Border

Glue Glider Pro

QK Birds

QK Stardust CC Alpha

QK Flirt LE Alpha

Bo Bunny Candy Jewels

May Arts Ribbon/Ric Rac

Pebbles Inc. Jewel Tone Chalks

Copic Markers

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Tim Holtz Distressing Tool

TH-Tiny Attacher

TH-Tonic Scissors

3-D Dots

I'll be using this layout for the following challenges too:

TPE: Challenge #61 - Nature (birds and flowers)

TPE: Ella's Pink Scrapbook Challenge 1-Fav Technique (Distressing/Inking)

Practical Scrappers - Markers (Copics)

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Make Own Flowers (flowers made from Lotus Border Negatives)

CCEE Stampers - Silly: Animal + Sentiment (birds + title)

Paper Take Weekly - Open theme

A Spoon Full of Sugar - One for the Boys

There She Goes Challenge - Colors Yellow/Green/Aqua (they are all in there)

SMiLES!

GWeN

Club Anya's Monday Mania Hostess:

Can you believe that the Hostess this week for the Club Anya & FriendsMonday Mania Challenge is none other than...MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

I'm so super excited about this. Let me tell you a little about the challenge. It is a Sketchipe. (That is a Sketch plus a Recipe. So I'm calling it a Sketch - a - pea.) Goofy, why of course it is...this is me we are talking about folks. Now on for the fun!

The Sketch

Designed by Gwen A. Hesson
Follow the sketch as close as possible. You may use variations on the sketch as long as you can tell the original sketch is there.



Monday Mania Sketch

The Recipe
You must use at least two of the following techniques on your project:

*Inking
*Painting
*Stitching
*Embossing

Now here is what I did with this challenge.

Card

This little gem has it all. Sketch based design, stitching, painting, embossing, inked edges and even distressed edges. I really had fun working on this.

The Greeting Farm:

Cheeky Rockabilly Image

Butterfly Wishes Sentiment

Material Girl DP

Copic Markers

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Memento Ink-Tuxedo Black

Prism Card Stock

Lay Out

In this little lay out I used some super fun papers by Nikki Sivils. They are all pet based in this set, "Bella Blue and Oscar Too". They worked so well with my girls and their pinks. Little Aubrey was sporting piggy tails for the very first time. She just looks so ornery in them. She and Sadie, our family dog, were having such a fun day together. I had to get a photograph. Sadly, Sadie was camera shy.

I managed to follow the sketch very well on this one. Also did inking on the edges using my Tim Holtz Distressing Inks. Embossed the matting behind our sweet little Amelia image from TGF. (Doesn't she reflect little Aubrey and her piggy tails perfectly?)

The Greeting Farm:

Happy Day Set (Amelia Image)

Nikki Sivils "Bella Blue and Oscar Too"

Tim Holtz Distressing Ink - Scattered Straw

Copic markers

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Now head on over to the Club Anya & Friends Blog and join into this fun. Can't wait to see what the Design Team comes up with there!

SMiLES!

GWeN

I've got an Inspiration Post

If you click HERE you can view my Inspiration Post at the DCRU DT Blog. I have several more samples of work there for your enjoyment. I've been up way too long taking care of sick children and crafting to meet deadlines. I may just collapse if I have to add all of my pics...hahaha.

Sooooo, here is a little peek at one of the projects I did for DCRU and the rest (five in total) can be viewed over there.

Keep your hands busy...it is National Crafting Month after all...

SMILES!

GWEN

SMC Lay Out DTs BLOG HOP!!!!

The SMC Lay Out DT Blog Hop is all about sharing the LOVE!!! You will get to see designs based on things our girls LOOOOVE such as poems, quotes, phrases, stories and memories.

Using this adorable Morty the Moose digi from SMC and wonderful papers and stickers from Bo Bunny I created this LO based on my dearest loves...my girls!

Sorry its crooked...

Hope you like my little project as much as I liked putting it together. (Can't say that I enjoyed my power outages...but what are ya gonna do!?!)

Now its time to hop on over to Mary's blog. If you get lost on the way feel free to stop back here and check out the hop list. Have fun!

Here is the hop list:

Sew Many Layouts Challenge Blog

Gwen (You are Here!)

Mary

Nicole

Tink

Tracey

Sarabeth

Sew Many Layouts Challenge Blog

To play along just leave a comment at each of the stops along the way regarding the hop. Also be sure to comment at the final stop of the hop telling us what you thought.

ONE winner from each blog will be chosen to receive a free valentine's digi image.

ONE grand prize winner will receive a set of digis from SMC

Would you like additional opportunities to win? How about three of them? If so just do this...

Create any papercraft that is Love themed and follow this recipe:

3 ~ hearts
1 ~ bow
 2 ~ patterned papers

(Using this recipe is not mandatory for blog hop participation.)

Winners will be posted on Monday at http://www.sewmanylayouts.com/.

Sponsors:

http://www.bugaboostamps.com/

http://www.stamphappens.com/

Sugar Rush Color Challenge - DCRU

DCRU has a color combo challenge this week based on the Sugar Rush line button collection. I've got a picture below for you...

Pretty HUH? What a great break from all the wintery blues and holiday colors...I'm ready for some change and this was a perfect fit! Here is what I did for the challenge...

You can see my other project at the DCRU DT Blog along with the excellent cards made by the other DTs, including our very newest members

Join in the fun by creating a project based on the Sugar Rush color scheme and link up your project by 9:00 PM EST on Sunday and you could be our next DCRU Challenge Winner!!!

Just a reminder too...the Copics Sale is right around the corner...pick out your colors and get ready to send them to Claudia!!!

Winner and Brand New Challenge with a Vintaged Twist!

Well, we are already to begin the third challenge here at Busy Little Hands...can you believe how time has flown by! I am pleased to announce our winner this week. She created this natural lay out with some very precious pictures of her "boys".

Congratulations Laura of Crafty Little Woman!

Please pick up your winners button on the side bar of my blog.

Just a little note about Laura's project, if you notice the cute heart and would like to know how she did it...she has a great little tutorial on her blog. It reminds me of a Scandanavian Heart that we make from paper. However, Laura's little heart is a very simple technique with ribbon.  So cute and a great embellishment!

Now for our next challenge I've come up with something sure to offer lots of variety. Create a project using a Vintaged Image.

Here is my sample project for this week:

The frame and the embellishment on the lower left corner are one print. Todd purchased an amazing book for me recently full of vintaged labels with an amazing variety of styles. The book came with a disc and full rights to reprint all the images! AMAZING FIND!

What can you find to use on your project? A photograph, old post card, vintage style stamp or something as simple as what I did...a vintage print; whatever you choose enjoy the experience.

Please be sure to have your project loaded by Wenesday, January 27th at 8:00 PM EST.

Smiles!

Gwen